Set of elements for the construction of buildings

ABSTRACT

Posts, beams and panels forming the framework of a building are mounted on a base plate embedded in a concrete layer, the base plate having tubular protuberances on which the posts are fixed in predetermined positions. The posts and beams, made of in extruded metal or synthetic resin, are preferably hollow and form a non-recuperable cofferwork in which concrete is poured after placing reinforcing cores. Concrete and similar walls or panels of the building can be reinforced with an embossed sheet of resin having an array of alternating protuberances and recesses.

United States Patent Faucheux July 15, 1975 [541 SET OF ELEMENTS FOR THE 2,523,920 9/1950 llzliattl 52/421 TR N F B 2,924,962 2 1960 Gill 6 52/439 CONS UC 0 O U GS 3,108,924 10/1963 Adie 52/615 [75] Inventor: Pierre Faucheux, Paris, France FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73] Assgneez Fresa Vaduz 224,873 3/1958 Australia 52/460 1,080,954 6/1954 France 22 i Oct. 1 1973 664,735 1/1952 United Kingdom 52/229 [21] Appl' 402592 Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Assistant Examiner.lames L. Ridgill, Jr. [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Attorney, Agent, or F [rm-Emory L. Groff, Jr.

Sept. 29, 1972 Switzerland 14315/72 Apr. 3, 1973 France 73.12007 [57] ABSTRACT Mar. 15 1973 France 73.9326

Posts, beams and panels forming the framework of a June 25, 1973 Switzerland 9233/73 building are mounted on a base plate embedded in a [52] U S Cl 52/250 52/283, 52/439 concrete layer, the base plate having tubular protuber- [511 E04b1/00 6 H04 ances on which the posts are fixed in predetermined [58] Fieid "52/261 5 289 positions. The posts and beams, made of in extruded 52/460 metal or synthetic resin, are preferably hollow and 6 form a non-recuperable cofferwork in which concrete is poured after placing reinforcing cores. Concrete 56] References Cited and similar walls or panels of the building can be reinforced with an embossed sheet of resin having an UNITED STATES PATENTS array of alternating protuberances and recesses. l.l89,492 7/1916 Schanman 52/289 2,241,169 5/1941 Yokes 52/289 1 Clalm, 21 Drawmg Flgures SET OF ELEMENTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS The invention relates to the construction of buildings.

In traditional methods of constructing buildings, it is observed that architects plans are often only approximately followed by the builders. This gives rise to difficulties in fitting various elements together, notably when prefabricated elements must be mounted on a base of masonry set at the site.

The invention aims to remedy this lack of precision of traditional building methods.

According to the invention, there is provided a set of elements for the construction of buildings, comprising prefabricated framework elements, elements determining the position of at least a part of the framework elements, and reinforcing elements.

An embodiment of the invention, and variations of this embodiment, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial side elevational view of an element for determining the position of adjacent posts;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the element shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial view in longitudinal cross-section of a post provided with a member for supporting beams and panes of a framework;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the support member shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of part of a varied form of the support member shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is an overall exploded perspective view of a varied form of the elements of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, namely a part of an element fixing the position of a post, the post, a member for supporting beams of the framework, and a beam;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another varied form of the support member shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged scale perspective view of an end part of the post shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged-scale perspective view of an end part of the beam shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-section through a wall of a building cast about a post such as that shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an overall view similar to FIG. 6 of a second varied form of a set of elements;

FIG. 12 is an overall view similar to FIG. 6 showing a third type of set of elements;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged scale end view of the post shown in FIG. 12; 7

FIG. 14 is an enlarged scale end view of the beam shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged scale top plan view of the beam-supporting element shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a cross-section taken along line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of part of a reinforcing or bracing element;

FIG. 18 is a cross-section taken along line XVIII-X- VIII of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 17 of part of a varied form of reinforcing or bracing element;

FIG. 20 is a cross-section taken along l ineX X-XX of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-section through another varied form of a reinforcing or bracing element.

FIG. 1 shows an element for determining the position of adjacent posts 7, comprising a base plate 35 having on its lower faces protuberances 36 adapted to be anchored in a concrete slab and, protruding perpendicularly from its upper face, tubular protuberances 6. A post 7 is adapted to be mounted in each protuberance 6. The base plate 35 can then be embedded in a coating layer of the concrete slab.

Of course, when the nature of the ground permits, the base plate 35 may be disposed on the ground and a concrete slab or layer can be provided by pouring in concrete on either side of the. base plate 35 to form a finished ground surface.

The posts 7, preferably tubular and of round or square cross-section, are provided at their upper ends with a U-shaped piece 23 adapted to carry beams 24 of the framework of a building. Stirrup pieces or yokes 25 for supporting framework panels 26 are welded on the outer faces of the arms of U-shaped pieces 23,

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the piece 23 for supporting beams 24 is formed by the upper end of twoflat irons 27, 28 connected together by a metal block 29. The lower ends of the irons 27, 28 are adaptedto fingage in the upper end of a post 7. The post 7 has transverse grooves 30 in which out-turned lower ends of the irons 27, 28 can engage and be locked by a trapezoidal or'truncoconical lock nut 31 connected to the block 29 by a threaded locking rod 32 passing through an axial bore 33 of block 29.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the pieces 23 for supporting beams 24 could each be formed by a recess in an upper end of a post 7, and stirrup-pieces 25a and 25b for supporting panels 26 could be welded to a bracket 34 adapted to be suspended from a beam 24.

According to a particularly advantageous alternative form shown in FIG. 6, the posts 7 can include one or several tubular pieces 38, preferably cylindrical, held together end-to-end in a sleeve-like piece including a peripheral network of cavities 39 (FIG. 8) made in one piece, by extruding a synthetic resin. Such a post 7 can be mounted on a protuberance 6 which is preferably cylindrical and with an outer diameter corresponding tot'he inner diameter of the pieces 38 of post 7. The protuberance 6 is fixed on the upper face of a base plate 35 of metal or a synthetic resin provided on its lower face with protuberances 36 for anchoring it in a concrete slab.

Multi-directional support members 23 for beams and panels of a framework can be formed by partially hollow pieces moulded in a synthetic resin and each including a stud 40 for securing it to the upper end of a post 7. The stud 40 is preferably cylindrical with a diarriet er corresponding to the inner diameter of pieces 38 of the post 7 on which it is adapted to be mounted.

The support members 23 preferably include flanges 41 protruding from along their lower longitudinal edges.

The beams 24 of the framework may include one or several superimposed tubular parts 42 whose lateral walls are by a network of cavities 43. The lower wall or edge of these beams 24 has a recess 44 at its two ends so .asto allow each end of the beam 24 to rest on the can be provided not only in the lower wall of the lower tubular part 42, but also in the lower wall of one or several of the tubular parts (see FIG. 6), so as to enable the walls of the beam in which the network of cavities 43 is provided to be supported on the flanges 41 of the corresponding support member 23. t

Bores 45', disposed in the support members 23 along their longitudinal axial direction, enable the assembled framework to be placed under tension, for example by means of cables, and transverse bores 46, 47 provided respectively through non-hollow parts of the support member 23 and in the side walls of the ends of beams 24 enable'the beams 24 to be fixed to support members 23 by means of pins, for exemple.

Of course, panels can be provided in the same manner as the beams 24 shown in FIG. 9. When the posts '7 must simultaneously support beams 24 and panels,

they are provided with a support member 23 having four cruciform arms 4Ia, as shown in FIG. 7. Numerous other variations of these support members can be envisaged for a corner beam or angle joist assembly or even for the construction of inclined, spherical and conical frameworks and so on. I

I, In theevent where the set of elements is to be used forinakirig ceilings, agglomerated elements 48 are in- "sert'ed-b'etween the beams 24, as shown' in dotteddashed lines in FIG. 9, and the panels can be dispensed with. These elements 48 have along each of their longitudinal edges a projection 49 bearing against a half of beam 24 and preferably filling all of the space between two adjacent beams 24, which makes the ceiling assembly rigid and protects the flanks of the beams 24 in the case of fire, for example.

The posts 7 are generally embedded in the masonry 50, for example a wall, of a building after placing possible inner partitions 51-. As shown in the example of FIG. 10, when the posts 7 are of square outer crosssection, they are advantageously disposed with a diagonal of their section parallel to the surface of the masonry wall in which they are embedded.

Numerous other variations of the above-described set of pieces can also be envisaged.

The posts 7 and beams 24 could notably be made in single pieces by extruding a light metal suchas an "aluminum alloy, for example. The sameapplies to the sup: port members 23 which could be moulded in a light alloy.

According to another variation shown in FIG. 11, the posts 7 are reinforced by inserting in the tubular piece 38 a longitudinally split metal tube 55 which notably increases the resistance of the posts to compression. This split tube 55 can for example be provided in a rolled, nonjoined steel sheet 2 mm thick. Each support member 23 is also provided with a metal cover 56 of inverted U-shape in transverse cross-section. The ends of the arms of the U of cover 56 are outwardly directed and form flanges 57 on which the lower edges of the end of a beam 24 rest. Similarly, a metal reinforcing which can be provided in sheet steel by rolling or J stamping respectively. These metal reinforcing' pie'ces :weight, bulk and cost price of which are several times greater. 1

As shown in FIG. 11, the reinforcing pieces 56 and 58 have bores .46 and 47 corresponding to the transverse bores 46, 47 respectively in the non-hollow parts of. the support members 23 and in the lateral walls of the ends of beams 24. Preferably, the other elements of the framework and their reinforcing pieces have similar transverse bores.

Numerous varied embodiments of the described reinforcing pieces can be envisaged.

Thus, pieces .for reinforcing the ends of a beam 24 could, for example, be provided in a synthetic resin. Such a piece of U-shaped transverse cross-section would be'imounted in extension of the beam and would have, at its end facing theend of the beam 24, reinforcing protuberances which would engage inthe network of cavities 43 in the lateral walls of beam 24.

Thebase plate 35 carrying protuberances 6 could be thicker than that shown,-possibly alveolate, to enable adjustment of the thickness of a layer intended to cover the concrete slab on which the baseiplate, 35 is fixed. The protuberances 6 of this base plate 35- could pass through the base plate and simultaneously perform the function of the anchoring .protuberances 36.

The protuberances 6 could be dispensed with; and replaced by sockets intended to be embedded in the concrete slab. Such sockets fixed to the lowerface -of the base plate 35 would open at their upper ends into the upper surfaceof theplate 35. A mandrel introduced into a socket could thus serve as a liason piece between the concrete slab and a post 7.

Instead of having two arms ('FIG. 6) or fourarms (FIG. 7) in one plane, the moulded support member 23 could have-a greater number ofarms in different planes (i.e. orientations) for the provision of arches or domes for example. The lower surface of support member 23 instead of being disposed perpendicular to the axis of stud 40, could be inclined thereto.

The variation shown in FIGS. 12 to'l6 enables the use of sheaths or casings of the posts and beams, preferably in a synthetic resin, as non-recoverable cofferwork for the erection ofa' concrete framework of a building. There is thus provided an increase, by reinforced con- 'crete, of the resistance to compression of'the post casings andof the resistance to flexion of the beam casings.

These beam andpost' casings improve the final appearance of the framework, while defining its position in a precise way.

FIG. 12 shows a set of elements similar to those of FIG. 6, comprising a base plate 35-having anchoring projections 36 on its lower face and protuberances 6 on its upper facerEach'protuberance 6 is adapted to support a tubular post 7 carrying at its upper end a member 23 for supporting beams 24, only one'of which is shown partially in the drawing.

' The hollow 'post 7"is ofgenerally square transverse cross-section, as can be seen from the end elevational view of FIG. 13, and can be made by extruding a synthetic resin. It has inner longitudinal ribs 62 whose inner edges define a cylindrical housing 63 for receivenable framework elements 7, 23 and 24 in synthetic resin to have a resistance to compression and flexion comparable to that of steel framework elements-the I ing a cylindrical, preferably tubular protuberance 6 to hold the'post' 7 upright.

The hollowpost7 also preferably-has, as shown, external protuberances in theform of flanges 65 protruding in extension of its four faces, from its longitudinal The hollow post 7 serves as a non-recuperable coffer- I work for a mass of concrete that can be poured therein after having introduced an armature or reinforcement such as an iron bar 66 extending along its length. This iron bar 66, for example, enables the base protuberance 6 to be connected to the stud 40 of a member 23 received in the upper end of post 7 (see FIG. 12).

This particular form of the support member 23 is shown in detail inFIGS. and 16. It can,for example, be provided in cast aluminium and includes two supporting wings or surfaces 70 on either side of a hopper 71 placed over the hollow cylindrical stud 40 adapted to fit into the upper end of the cylindrical housing 63 of post 7.

As shown in FIG. 15, the supporting wings 70 are made rigid by ribs 72 and have a'longitudinal'median slot 73 for passage of an anti-seismic cable 74 (FIG. 16).

The hollow beams 24 whose ends are adapted to rest on the supporting wings 70 of two adjacent support members 23 may, as the posts 7, be provided by extruding a synthetic resin. The casing of beams 24, which is of rectangular transverse section, as can be seen in the end elevational view of FIG. 14, has a longitudinal slot 75 in its upper face and longitudinal inner ribs 76 in parallel spaced apart relation to the remaining edges of the upper face so as to define therebetween a central passage whose width is substantially .the same as that of slot 75. A transverse web 77 parallel to the upper face of the beam 24 serves to rest the'two ends of the beam 24 on supporting wings 70 of two adjacent support members 23, as shown in FIG. 14. For this purpose, the lower face or wall 78 of beam 24 is cut away at each end over a length corresponding to a third or half of the length of the upper face of the support members 23, i.e. to about the length of wings 70.

It is thus possible to erect the framework of a building in the following manner:

On a low wall defining a sanitary space or airgap, a concrete slab is poured. A base plate 35 carrying tubular upper protuberance 6 is fixed in this slab by embedding it under its surface. On each of the protuberances 6 is mounted a hollow post 7 with a iron bar 66 disposed along its axis. A support member 23 is then placed on the upper end of each post 7 by fitting its hollow stud 40 into the corresponding cylindrical housing 63.

Sections of anti-seismic cable 74 are then introduced into the hollow beams 24 which are then disposed on the support members 23 on posts 7. The various sections of cable 74 are then connected together in the region of hoppers 71 of the support members 23 and the assembly of elements is tensioned by means of a turnbuckle 74a for example, having right and left hand threads at opposite ends into which threaded bolts 74b and 74c secured to the ends of sections of cable 74 may be threaded.

The hollow posts 7 are then filled with concrete by the slots 75 of beams 24 and hoppers 71 of the support members 23. The beams 24 are filled with concrete through their respective slot 75 after having disposed iron cores 80 at different levels therealong.

Numerous variations of the last described embodiment may be envisaged.

The support members 23 can, for example, be provided in reinforced or non-reinforced moulded synthetic resin. 1

Instead of having only two supporting wings 70, certain support members 23 could for example have four or more. In every case, it is necessary to provide a common joining piece for the various sections of antiseismic cable in the beams, which meet in the hopper 71 of such a multidirectional support member '23. In

angle or skirting support members 23, it is also necessary to provide members for tensioningthe anti-seismic cables. r

Instead of being parallel to the upper face of the beam 24, the ribs 76 could be inclined downwardly towards the lateral walls of beam 24 to improve filling of the spaces defined therebetween with concrete'. Similarly, the internal ribs 62 of posts 7 'could be inclined to their walls.' I i p Of course, instead of being extruded in asyn'thetic resin, the hollow posts 7 and beams 24 .could b"e' made by folding and welding or sticking sheets of synthetic I resin about an inner lining including the said inner ribs 62 and 76 respectively.

Instead of being filled with concrete, th'e hollow posts 7 and beams 24 could contain any other suitablebin'der including expanded plastics materials. I i

When a great rigidity of the framework is required, the lower metal protuberances 6 can be replaced by tubes of steel of an increased length on which the studs 40 of member 23 are directly supported. H

The slab in which the base plates 35 are embedded, as well as the covering elements carried by the framework of the building, are preferably reinforced, as are the partitions, facade panels and other visible structures of the building. i

A particularly advantageous reinforcing or bracing element is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. This element is in the form of a sheet having an array of trihedral protuberances 81 alternating with trihedral recesses 82 on its two faces. It is obtained by hot embossment of a sheet of steel, aluminium, or synthetic resin, or even pressing a moist layer of paper paste, in a plate press or between two pressure cylinders.

For this purpose, the plates of the press are provided with matrices having facing complementary trihedral protuberances and recesses. Similarly, cooperating press cylinders used for this purpose would have at their periphery complementary trihedral protuberances and hollows between which a sheet of metal or synthetic resin, or layer of paper paste, is continuously passed.

The embossments or corrugations thus obtained provide, after cooling or drying of the reinforcing elements obtained, a high multi-directional resistance to flexion and compression in particular, and enable a chosen construction material, in a pasty state, to be applied on either side thereof. This material can be concrete, notably so called cellular concrete (d 1), or a lime mortar, or a binder with a base of a hardenable expanded or other synthetic resin, or even a fibro-cement possibly mixed with inert fillers.

Preferably, the embossing matrices or cylinders mentioned above have facing trihedral protuberances and recesses of such a shape that the apices 83 of the trihedral protuberances embossed in the sheet are truncated (see FIGS. 19 and 20). This particular shape of the matrices or cylinders facilitates removal of the embossed sheets from the press. Moreover, such embossed reinforcing elements in which the bottoms 84 of the recesses are pierced enable a better adhesion on either side thereof of the hardenable material that they reinforce.

In the embodiment of the reinforcing element shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the edges 85 of the truncated points 83 of the trih edral protuberances 81 lie in two parallel planes. I

In the variation shown schematically in FIG. 12, the lower trihedral protuberances are truncated at different levels so that their truncated edges 85 define a concave curved network 86. The upper trihedral protuberances are, to the contrary, all truncated at the same level, and their truncated edges 85 define a planar network 87.

A semi-curved reinforcing element of this type can be provided by embossing a sheet of metal or a synthetic resin in a press having a plane matrix facing a convex curved matrix.

Numerous other variations of the described reinforcing elements can be envisaged. The protuberances 81 and recesses '82 could, for example, be tetrahedral or hexahedra'l.

The advantages of the above-described reinforcing elements, and in particular that shown in FIG. 21, reside in the appreciable economy of material that can be achieved compared to usual types of reinforcing elements, and in the facility they offer for mass production. When they are provided in synthetic resin, their cost price is very much reduced compared to that of corresponding metal reinforcing elements.

The reinforcing elements according to the embodiments of FIGS. 17 and 19 can in particular be manufactured in standard dimensions and can be superimposed by nesting protuberances 81 of the lower face of one element in recesses 82 of the upper face of another element, with a view to storage and subsequent transport.

Assembly thereof at a work-site can be provided by nesting the protuberances 81 and recesses of the adjacent edges of two reinforcing elements which are placed side by side, in extension of one another in the same plane. I

It can also be noted that the reinforcing element according to FIG. 19 can advantageously be used as a planar or curved surface for the manufacture of panels or sheets for example. In effect, films, sheets or blades of any kind may easily be stuck, on either side of the reinforcing element, onto the edges 85 of the truncated trihedral protuberances.

I claim:

1. A building structure framework comprising, a plurality of base plates including anchoring projections depending from the bottom surface thereof and tubular protuberances extending vertically from the upper surface thereof, said base plates embedded in concrete footings with the protuberances projecting through and above said footings, hollow posts fitted over said protuberances, beam supporting members, hollow studs depending from said supporting members and connected to the tops of said posts, said beam supporting members having a plurality of vertically disposed hopper-like openings, hollow beams mounted on said supporting members, said beams having a longitudinallyextending slot in their upper wall, a reinforcing bar member fitted in each of said posts and extending into said hollow studs of said beam supporting members to connect said protuberances to said hollow studs, and upon pouring concrete through said slot in the upper surface of said beams, said concrete fills the hollow posts, the hollow studs and the vertically disposed openings in said beam supporting members and said beams providing an integrated structural framework. 

1. A building structure framework comprising, a plurality of base plates including anchoring projections depending from the bottom surface thereof and tubular protuberances extending vertically from the upper surface thereof, said base plates embedded in concrete footings with the protuberances projecting through and above said footings, hollow posts fitted over said protuberances, beam supporting members, hollow studs depending from said supporting members and connected to the tops of said posts, said beam supporting members having a plurality of vertically disposed hopper-like openings, hollow beams mounted on said supporting members, said beams having a longitudinally extending slot in their upper wall, a reinforcing bar member fitted in each of said posts and extending into said hollow studs of said beam supporting members to connect said protuberances to said hollow studs, and upon pouring concrete through said slot in the upper surface of said beams, said concrete fills the hollow posts, the hollow studs and the vertically disposed openings in said beam supporting members and said beams providing an integrated structural framework. 